For the local hard rock group Red, absolutely. During a recent afternoon spent at Nashville music venue 12th and Porter, the band mentions the shock-rock star — along with Sevendust, Korn and Linkin Park — as artists who influenced its dissonant, aggressive-yet-inspirational sound. The group also has toured with acts such as Godsmack and Drowning Pool, and done so with few qualms about their tourmates’ outlooks and lifestyles.

“For us, more than anything, it’s always been about the music,” bassist Randy Armstrong says. “It’s never really been about the content with the bands that we tour with. They’re guys out there onstage trying to make a living doing music, and it starts there. We respect each other right off the bat.”

That approach has helped make Red a rising hard rock name in the Christian and secular music worlds. Its first two albums — both nominated for Grammys for best rock or rap gospel album — have collectively sold more than a half million copies. Red is hoping to eclipse that success with its third album, Until We Have Faces, which hits stores on Tuesday (Feb. 1). But more than awards or sales, the band prides itself on finding success on its own terms.

“We grew up in Christian homes and going to Christian festivals,” Armstrong says. “We’re pretty much engulfed in (the) Christian market. Our hearts will always be there, but it’s no different for us to step onstage in a mainstream club than it is in a church. People are still going to see the same show.”Continue reading →

A press release from Korn and Disturbed drove that slightly stinging fact home. The two bands will perform at Bridgestone Arena on February 4 as part of tour that's deliberately visiting "non-major markets."

"When the idea first came up, one of the main things both bands agreed upon and wanted to focus on was hitting a lot of smaller markets," Disturbed singer David Draiman says in a release. "It's exciting to bring a show like this to cities that are usually skipped over on some of the other larger rock tours that only hit the major markets. We have a lot of loyal fans in these cities and we wanted to bring them a show that they deserve."

Very well. Swallow your pride, Nashville hard rock fans, and prepare to scoop up tickets at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3. Tickets are $39 and $45, available at Ticketmaster.